Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Responses

Mr WYNNE (Richmond—Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing) (19:24): The member for Caulfield raised a matter for the Premier, seeking to advocate for a plan in relation to the health and fitness industry, recognising of course that those industries are very, very important to people’s both physical and mental health, and I will make sure that the Premier is made aware of that request.

The member for Mordialloc raised a matter for the Minister for Education, seeking an update on the college redevelopments at the Mordialloc and Parkdale colleges, and I will make sure the minister is aware of that request.

The member for Lowan raised a matter for the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery seeking that the government continue to make application for 419 regional visas for skilled migration—

Ms Kealy: 491.

Mr WYNNE: I beg your pardon—491 regional visas for skilled migration, particularly for people to, obviously, work in regional Victoria. I must say I was only in Halls Gap a little while ago, and a very delightful part of the world it is too. There is a story about kangaroos, but it is probably best I do not go there—

A member: And emus.

Mr WYNNE: Yes, that was interesting. The member for Wendouree raised a matter for the Minister for Community Sport seeking an update on the excellent capital works program that is occurring on two of her reserves: one in Wendouree West and the other one, well known to me, in Alfredston.

A member: Alfredton.

Mr WYNNE: You told me it was ‘Alfredston’. I was close enough. It is in her electorate—that will do. I have been misled yet again. It is a disgrace. I am not going to answer yours now. No, this is an important issue.

The member for Ripon raised a matter for the Minister for Health, seeking a consistent application of guidelines for people to visit their relatives when they are in hospital. The member for Ripon does indicate that each hospital has got its own procedures in place. I will simply take it on the basis that the request has been made, and I will make sure the Minister for Health is aware of that.

The member for Melbourne has raised a matter for the Minister for Water in relation to the sustainable water strategy. It is sad to say you did not give me credit for that. I in fact launched it, as you may recall, when I had the rare opportunity to stand in the shoes of the Minister for Water. It is a very complex area, water, incredibly complex, and my colleague Minister Neville absolutely leads the nation—truly she does—in terms of the leadership she has shown in the water portfolio. That is agreed, I think, very much on a cross-party basis. But I just say to the member for Melbourne: these are incredibly complex issues, and there are no winners and losers in this. I understand your desires in relation to the sustainability of water. Indeed, as you know, we have done a lot of work on the Yarra. The Barwon, as you know, we are doing important work there, not just in terms of working with First Nations people—the Maribyrnong as well—but ensuring that these really important waterways remain viable as both environmental entities in their own right but being very respectful of First Nations people as well. I think we have got a pretty good track record in that space. And thank you for acknowledging the work that I did in that space for a period of time—not.

The member for Burwood raised a matter. You will get there one day, do not worry.

Ms Addison: This is the highlight of my week.

Mr WYNNE: The member for Burwood? It is a bit sad if I am a highlight of the week, I tell you—very sad.

The member for Burwood raised a matter for the Minister for Ambulance Services seeking that the minister visit his very important emergency services facilities out in Burwood, and he pointed out the huge amount of money that the government has invested in 2021–22: nearly $760 million. I mean, this speaks to the sorts of critical infrastructure that we must continue to support.

The member for Sandringham I think has raised a really interesting issue here. We know of the tragic death of Shane Warne at 52. I mean, it is ridiculous, his loss. I spoke about this within my own group: about men in particular—and I will take the opportunity to do it here—who are notorious in terms of poorly taking care of themselves. Women understand these things. They get themselves checked very, very regularly for a whole bunch of things. But I did call on particularly my male colleagues. If this is not a wake-up call, I do not know what is.

The member for Hawthorn, who was here today, the member for Lara and I have travelled that path, and that is a path you do not want to travel. I just think that if something positive at all comes out of this really terribly sad demise of a great Australian, it is that men might actually get down to the doctor and get themselves checked out, because you do not know when this might come. I am the proof of that; absolutely I am. I think it is a really, really interesting proposal. I will talk to the Premier tomorrow about this. So East Sandringham was his—

Mr Rowswell: First junior cricket club.

Mr WYNNE: His first junior cricket club. He went to Hampton High and—

Mr Rowswell: Sandy primary school.

Mr WYNNE: I mean, it is his space. Mentone Grammar I think as well, was it not? I think that would be wonderful and fitting that he is acknowledged in that way by his local community. I think they might have set a date now.

Ms Addison: The 30th.

Mr WYNNE: The 30th. People are going to come from everywhere for this. It is a very, very worthy proposition, and I will personally make sure the Premier is aware of that.

The member for Tarneit raised a really, really important issue in relation to seeking an update on the Orange Door hub at Wyndham. This is an amazing initiative of the government. It speaks absolutely to the response of our government particularly to women and children escaping domestic violence, and I know that the minister will absolutely be not just willing, she will ensure that you are updated, member for Tarneit, on this amazing initiative, which is as you know rolling out right across Victoria.

Finally, the member for Carrum raised a really important issue also in relation to opportunities for women to engage in the extraordinary amount of employment opportunities that there are in the area of clean energy and particularly in solar installation. I think there are huge opportunities going forward, and our state in particular has been at the forefront of the rollout of solar. My colleague the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change has played an absolute leadership role in that space. That is it for tonight, sorry to say.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Minister. The house now stands adjourned until tomorrow.

House adjourned 7.33 pm.